“Things Will Get Worse” – PM Starmer States Fixing UK Issues Will Require Time, Reports Reuters

By Elizabeth Piper

LONDON – Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to address Britons next week, emphasizing that the necessary changes to resolve the country’s numerous challenges will take time. He plans to say, “things will get worse before we get better,” in a speech aimed at being transparent with the public.

Since his election in July, Starmer has consistently pointed to the previous Conservative government as the cause of the precarious state of the nation, attributing this situation to the recent anti-migrant riots sparked by misinformation surrounding the tragic deaths of three young girls in northern England.

In his upcoming speech on Tuesday, just a week before Parliament reconvenes after its summer break, Starmer will stress that meaningful change will not occur immediately. He will outline his government’s commitment to addressing a wide range of issues, including overcrowded prisons and lengthy health service waiting lists.

“I said change would not happen overnight. When there is deep-rooted decay in a system, you can’t simply mask it or rely on quick fixes. An overhaul is necessary,” Starmer plans to state, as shared by his office.

He will highlight that the government has inherited not only an economic crisis but also deep societal issues, which necessitate a different approach. “We must be honest about the difficult choices ahead and acknowledge that, frankly, things will worsen before they improve,” he will assert.

Starmer, who previously served as the Director of Public Prosecutions, had to cancel his summer vacation this month to respond to the riots targeting Muslims and migrants. He has criticized the Conservative government’s inability to address systemic issues, which he believes have exacerbated societal fractures, making it more challenging to manage rioters compared to his tenure in office from 2008 to 2013.

He will remark that those causing unrest were aware of the failing system and were exploiting the vulnerabilities created by years of populism and neglect. “That’s what we have inherited,” he will declare.

In his address, Starmer will reach out to what he considers Britain’s working class, including teachers, nurses, small business owners, and firefighters. He will acknowledge that his government has begun to take “the first steps towards the change people voted for” during the election.

However, he will also highlight the dire state of Britain’s public finances, with projections indicating a potential overspend of 22 billion pounds this year, as underscored by his finance minister. He will assert that difficult decisions are inevitable for the government.

“If we do not take decisive action now, we will be unable to reinforce the foundations of our country,” he plans to say. “I will not recoil from making unpopular decisions if they are in the best interest of our country in the long run. That is the essence of a government in service to its people.”